A Christmas parade held in Kilbeggan two weeks ago may become an annual tradition, if the response from the public to the event is anything to go by.
Pioneering Peter Lonican of Lockes Distillery came up with the idea to organise the parade through Kilbeggan just days before the event took place on Saturday December 13, and the town’s streets were thronged for the occasion.
He says the main focus was to bring some Christmas spirit to the town. “We normally have a complimentary Santa each year in the distillery. I took a walk down the town a few days before and there were a lot of long faces. People are having a hard time; everyone knows someone who has lost their job. So I decided this year to bring Santa down town,” explained Mr Lonican.
“It brought a bit of cheer to the area. A lot of people said they saw people they hadn’t seen in years, even housebound people were coming out to their doors.”
The parade was led by UN veterans from the Athlone and Mullingar areas. There was a Garda escort, a band, vintage machinery, and of course Mr Claus himself.
The large parade made its way from the school on the Dublin Road through the town’s crowded streets, finishing up at Lockes Distillery, where a complimentary children’s party was then held.
“It went off very well. We got great support from the local community. The event snowballed in two days. Next year we will have to organise it three months in advance!”
According to Mr Lonican, Kilbeggan’s Christmas parade is unique in the country, and it will be featured on TG4 over the Christmas period. He believes it is a way of giving something back to the town.
“Some places are charging €10 for children to go to see Santa. There is no money spinning here. Christmas is a time of goodwill. People came from far and near, it was a great family day out.”
